Hello, forumosans!
With all the foreigners (American, British, German, Italian, etc…) here in Forumosan, I wondered if there were any Polynesians here in this forum or if anyone knows of any Polynesians living in Taiwan. Thanks in advance to any replies.
Well, a theory is that all Polynesians in the world come from Taiwan… 2% of the population is malayo-polynesian, and strong traces of the ethnic ancestry are visible in among the Taiwanese, especially in the southern part of the island.
If you are polynesian, then this island has a fair number of distant cousins.
[quote=“Mr He”]Well, a theory is that all Polynesians in the world come from Taiwan… 2% of the population is malayo-polynesian, and strong traces of the ethnic ancestry are visible in among the Taiwanese, especially in the southern part of the island.
[/quote]
I’ve only heard that theory put forward by Taiwanese, and haven’t seen any independent sources. It’s more likely that they originated from the Malay Peninsula.
Jareed Diamond: “Guns Germs & Steel” is as good source as any.
A balanced article on the subject
Looking for any modern day Polynesians ( why does that sound so stupid?).
What I mean, anyone from Hawaii, American Samoa, Tahiti, Fiji, or any other island within the Polynesian Triangle?
There are plenty of good sources: Isadore Dyen, Robert Blust, Peter Bellwood jointly released a monograph on the subject in 1996. The problem is when politics gets involved. Annette Lu’s view that aborigines come from the Philippines along a southern route intentionally makes a disassociation with continental asia, which is now within the borders of China. The Blust-Bellwood-Dyen theory is now the most accepted version with new evidence coming out this month relating Australian dingos to dogs in southern asia via Taiwan.
[quote] In a new theory developed in Australia and New Zealand in recent years, anthropologists believe that Austronesian-language people originated in [Taiwan].
Professor Geoffrey Chambers of Victoria University in Wellington believes that Maori and other Polynesian peoples of the Pacific “island-hopped” from Taiwan through the Philippines and Indonesia to West Polynesia. From there, he says, they traveled to the islands of East Polynesia and then southwest, eventually settling in New Zealand. [/quote]
Plus recently an agreement, based on studies showing a DNA link, was inked between NZ and Taiwan for cultural exchanges between the Maori and Taiwan’s Aborigines.
So obviously there’s some decent backing for that idea somewhere.
And to address the actual question here, I’m sure there’s at least a few Maori boys up here, but I don’t know about Pacific Islanders or other Polynesians. Haven’t met any yet, but there’s probably a few.
I wonder… I noticed that some people here with strong Aboriginal blood look very Maori-esque, so I wonder how actual Maori and Polynesians would be viewed here. Would people assume the lighter ones were just Aborigines on sight? And how would that affect any stereotyping they’d be hit with?
I’ve met two Maori guys, but no Islanders.
Where are you from mate?
Brian
I must be the only person from Guam here.
I’m from American Samoa.
Braxtonhicks, I always wanted to go to Guam. In my life I have known many Chamorro’s. Beautiful characters inside and out. They also know how to party. One of my good friends is from Agana.
Just wanting to see if any other islanders are out there.
Wow, someone who knows what Guam natives are called. Interested in hearing what brought you to Taiwan. I followed my husband here. Feel free to PM me.
[quote=“Just me”]I’m from American Samoa.
Braxtonhicks, I always wanted to go to Guam. In my life I have known many Chamorro’s. Beautiful characters inside and out. They also know how to party. One of my good friends is from Agana.
Just wanting to see if any other islanders are out there.[/quote]
I’ve only met one, and she certainly was beautiful inside and out. 